New data from Care Home Finder Lottie reveals that nearly one million care roles will need to be filled by 2030. This includes 512,000 new roles to meet rising demand and 426,000 existing positions at risk due to workforce losses driven by proposed immigration restrictions.
Over 27% of the current care workforce are either overseas nationals or from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, with 65% fewer care worker visas granted this year, the proposed changes to immigration policies are set to make overseas recruitment even more difficult.
Hannah Karim, Lead Care Expert at Care Home Finder Lottie, warns: “The UK’s adult social care sector is already experiencing workforce shortages, impacting the availability of care for older adults. Without overseas workers, the level of recruitment needed to meet the UK’s ageing population is unachievable. These individuals are not just filling gaps, they are keeping the system afloat. Any changes to Health and Care Worker visa policies must be weighed against the devastating impact they could have on both older adults and families searching for care and the care sector’s availability to deliver on this demand.”
The number of families seeking elderly care through Lottie’s services has doubled in the past 12 months, particularly for specialist dementia and nursing care. At the same time, care providers across the country are struggling to operate efficiently due to workforce shortages and rising costs, resulting in a growing care crisis where families are struggling to find suitable care.
“The crisis will place greater pressure onto unpaid carers. Over five million people in the UK provide unpaid care, equivalent to one in 12 of the population. With formal care becoming increasingly inaccessible, the number of unpaid carers is expected to rise, meaning working-age adults, particularly women, will shoulder the emotional and financial costs of caregiving. The value of unpaid care is already estimated at £132 billion annually, however with growing demand this is predicted to reach £149 billion by 2030”, shares Karim.
Regional differences in the availability and demand for care add another layer of complexity. Certain areas of the UK, such as London are disproportionately dependent on overseas care workers. Across the city and surrounding areas, Lottie has seen a rise in families struggling to find care, with an increase in emergency care searches in the last 3 months alone.
“With an ageing population and life expectancy increasing, the number of people living with complex conditions such as dementia is rising, meaning the demand for skilled, compassionate care will only grow.
To ensure the care sector can meet growing demand, long-term workforce planning and practical recruitment solutions are crucial. This includes recognising the contribution of overseas workers and supporting care providers in building a sustainable workforce. Without urgent action, more families will continue to face challenges and uncertainty in accessing the care their loved ones need,” concludes Karim.
